Smart Home Monitor and Smart Lights are SmartApps that allow you to configure “child SmartApps” with the ability to run locally. The Smart Home Monitor “child SmartApps” that can run locally include Alert with Lights, Alert with Sirens, Close Valves (for Leaks), and Unlock doors (for Smoke). Smart Home Monitor and Smart Lights are the only SmartApps with local processing capabilities at this time. We are working on additional local SmartApp options.

Additionally, mode changes cannot process locally. Using this as a trigger for Smart Lights will prevent the automations from performing without an active internet connection. Use a different trigger, such as At a specific time or At Sunset/Sunrise instead to ensure your automations can run locally.

If you have an existing SmartThings setup, you can check if your configured SmartApps can run locally:

If any cloud or virtual device is added to a SmartApp, the automation will not run locally. Most LAN devices will not be able to run locally, with the exception of Philips Hue devices connected to a Hub with firmware v0.19.17. These cloud, LAN, and virtual devices are reliant on an active internet connection. This includes mobile presence devices, as well. Any SmartApps triggered by mobile presence will not execute in the event of an internet outage.

For example:

A Smart Lights SmartApp that controls a GE Link bulb (ZigBee) will run locally.

However, a Smart Lights SmartApp that controls a GE Link bulb (ZigBee) and a LIFX bulb (cloud-to-cloud) will not run locally.

Are there any other requirements?

Remember the following to ensure that your local devices and SmartApps perform as expected:

The Samsung SmartThings Hub (Hub v2) is capable of local processing and has battery backup; the first-generation SmartThings Hub does not have these capabilities. Read this article if you are uncertain of which Hub you own.

To execute local commands during a power outage, the Hub must have 4 AA batteries installed. There are 4 AA batteries included with Hub v2 but are not preinstalled. This battery backup is expected to last up to 10 hours.

Devices that are not battery powered and require a persistent power source will not respond in the event of a power outage.

An active internet connection is always required to manually control your devices and SmartApps via the SmartThings mobile app.

During an internet outage, the Hub will not be able to talk to the SmartThings cloud or mobile app; you will not be notified via the app of a local event until internet is restored.

What does local processing look like?

If your devices and SmartApps meet all the above criteria, they will be able to run locally when an internet and/or power outage occurs.

For example:

In the event of an internet outage, a Smart Lights automation that tells your GE Link bulb to turn on at 6:00 PM will locally execute.

In the event of an internet and/or power outage, a Smart Home Monitor automation that tells your Aeon Labs Siren to sound when motion is detected by a Samsung SmartThings Motion Sensor will locally execute.